Operating mechanism for removing pit covers and the like



' R. PALM Sept. 27, 1932.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING PIT COVERS AND THE LIKE Filed June 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Hahn Palm FHMGL S l. my Q NQS w ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1932.

R. PALM 1,879,881

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING PIT COVERS AND THE v LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27. 1951 o .3 Z 2214 i2 z INVENTOR BY RofierfPa/m MA 1 m 18 ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1932. L 1,879,881

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING'PIT COVERS AND THE LIKE Filed June 27. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 wm \w ,4 INVENTOR Boeri Palm Ma. ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 27, 1832 PATENT OFFICE ROBERT PALM, OF FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA OPERATING MECHANISM FOR REMOVING PIT COVERS AND THE LIKE Application filed June 27,

This invention relates to operating mechanisms utilized in the lifting and displacing of objects such as furnace tops, lids, hatches and the like which, by reason of their extreme weight, bulk or temperature, must be displaced from their rest position by mecha ical means. More specifically, this invention relates to mechanism suitable for the displacing of covers from the type of metallurgical furnaces known in the art as soak- I ing pits.

In such type furnaces it is necessary to remove the furnace cover so that free access to the interior of the furnace may be 5 obtained. As the cover is relatively heavy due to its size and type of construction, mechanical means must be provided to raise the cover and to transport the same away from the furnace opening.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple, effective and economical operating mechanism to effect the mechanical removal and the replacing of pit furnace covers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of elements whereby upon the application of a horizontally exerted force therein a vertical lift for a predetermined distance followed by a substantially horizontal movement for a desired distance may be applied to the cover of a soaking pit furnace.

Another object of the present invention is to provide mechanical means to remove and replace a pit furnace cover by the application of a force from a single and substantially stationary power source.

Another object is \to facilitate the covering and uncovering of pit furnaces.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is more fully disclosed.

In accordance with the objects of the present invention, I have devised a novel arrangement of mechanical elements to effectuate the same which includes means to raise the cover a predetermined vertical distance, means to move the cover a predetermined horizontal i ters e ch of S d ean ib i ee e sively actuated from a common stationary 1931. Serial no. 547,293.

source of energy applied thereto substantially along a horizontal plane, means to reverse the process and means associated therewith to limit the lateral. and rotational displacement of the cover during the vertical raising and horizontal displacing of the same, all of which is more fully disclosed in the accompanying drawings and following descriptions thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation showing a general arrangement of parts forming a preferred embodiment and application of my invention Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of a typical soaking pit cover and supporting carriage frame;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along plane 33 of Fig. 2 and shows a soaking pit cover in its raised or highest position; F Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of ig. 5 is a part section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 illustrating more fully the means employed in the reverse cycle of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 2 and discloses the means employed in the vertical lifting step of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a section on line 6-6'of Fig. 2 showing a pit cover in closed or rest position;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 5 illustrating a modification in the control mechanism of the present invention,

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8; and 95 Fig. 10 indicates a modification in the method of supporting a pit cover.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention showing a soaking pit furnace top 1 in a vertically raised position and (1A) in the horizontally displaced position from the walls 18 of the furnace. The mechanism by which the vertical lifting and horizontal displacing of the top is effected is illustrated in greater detail in the remaining figures of the drawings in conjunction with the following description. 1 In. g-. n me a f e r e ntea99559 1fe a soakingpit or similar structaraaa carriage frame, 3 and 3A axles supported on the carriage frame, and 1 and 4A idler Wheels on the axles engaging tracks 9. Theseparts are usual with many soaking pits.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide means to vertically raise the pit cover 1 a predetermined distance above the furnace opening and means to horizontally displace the same from over the furnace opening, and energize these means by a stationary force applied substantially along a horizontal plane, the force being successively applied to the lifting means and to the displacing means, and in reverse order when desired.

The vertical lifting means of the present invention may be most readily ascertained by examining Fig. 1 in conjunction with Figs. 4:, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. Briefly, the vertical lifting of the pit cover is accomplished by means of eccentrics 5 and 5A keyed on rotatable axles 3 and 3A supported respectively by idler wheels 4 and 4A. Over the eccentrics 5 and 5A are hung roller chains 6 which are suitably fastened to the cover 1. Each of the roller chains 6 include a turnbuckle 30 as a suitable means for proper adjustment. The eccentrics 5 and 5A are keyed upon the axles 3 and 3A in such manner as to rotate therewith, but means are provided to limit the extent of the rotation of the axle to approximately 180, and means are provided to effectuate this amount of rotation. At the termination of the 180 rotation in one direction the pit cover is vertically raised the required or desired distance. At the termination of the 180 rotation in the reverse direction the pit cover is replaced substantially in the desired rest position over the furnace opening.

To effectuate the rotation of the axles a rack gear 11 is provided adapted to take care of a movement of 180 which is also keyed on axle 3 and arranged to mesh with a fixedly positioned rack drive 12 which is in turn connected by means of suitable gearing to a source of power such as a motor 13. In the illustration herein shown rotation of axle 3 only is effected by the rack gear. To provide for a corresponding rotation of axle 3A I provide the following means.

On axles 3 and 3A are keyed chain sheaves let and 14A (shown in greater detail in Figs.

2 and 4) to which chains 15 and 15B are fastened. These chains are fastened at points 15A and 1513A, 180 apart and in such manner as illustrated in Figs. 2, (Sand 7, to allow a rotational movement of only 180 to the axles 3 and 3A. The rotation of axle 3 is effected by means of a rotation of rack gear 11, and this rotational movement is transmitted by means of the chains 15 and 1513. One chain winds up while the other chain unwinds during the 180 movement. At the conclusion of the desired 180 rotation means are provided such as is illustrated in Fig. 6 to stop the rotational movement of the axles and eccentrics 5 and 5A.

The specific means illustrated comprises a stop 16 integral with the chain sheave 14 p0- sitioned with respect to projection 22 on frame 2 to engage the same at the conclusion of the 180 rotational movement of the axle. The axle 3 then is substantially fixed relative to rotation in the forward direction.

The force being applied to the axle 3 through rack gear 11 from power source 13 acting on rack 12, thereafter is directed to a horizontal displacement of the frame 2, the idler wheels 4 and 4A carrying the frame 2, travel along track 9 the desired distance carrying along the vertically lifted cover 1, the weight thereof being supported on axles 3 and 3A, over the eccentrics 5 and 5A keyed thereto.

To return the cover to its original position the motor 13 need only be reversed and the frame 2 is first rolled back along track 9 on the idler wheels 4 and 4A to the position shown in Fig. 1 where means are provided to automatically stop the reverse horizontal movement of the frame 2 and at the same time to unlock the vertical lifting means so that the cover may belowered to its'rest position. The same automatic stopping means are utilized to serve as a restraining means to horizontal movement of the carriage during the vertical lifting of the cover.

Briefly, such means comprises simply a depression 10 in track 9 into which one pair of idler wheels 1A rests when the cover is in its rest position. The particular depth or degree of this depression'will depend pri marily upon the weight of the cover 1 and may be made adjustable, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, or may be made any arbitrary depth as desired, the object being to provide sulficient frictional resistance to a horizontal movement of the idler wheel as is necessary to prevent a forward displacing of the frame 2 during the vertical lifting of the cover 1. In Figs. 8 and 9 the adjustable means is shown operable by means of roller 8A on pawl 8 rather than by means of idler wheels 4A as is illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawings. Such a modification, however, is contemplated as adding to the sensitivity of the tripping mechanism, particularly when the weight of the cover 1 is relatively less than that of the usual pit cover. In Fig. 8 the adjustable means is illustrated at 32 and its function may be readily noted by one skilled in the art.

tric A, thereby restraining further rotational movement of the axle 3A, particularly in the reverse direction, thereby substantially locking the cover 1 in its high position. This effectually safeguards the operating mechanism.

On the reverse cycle pawl 8 is arranged so that a roller 8A attached thereto just clears track 9, and when wheels 4 and 4A fall into the depression 10, contact of roller 8A to track 9 issufiicient to trip locking tooth 7 from engagement with looking tooth 7A, thereby permitting rotational movement of axle 3A in the reverse direction. The energy supplied by motor 13, through rack 12 to rack gear 11 then is diverted from the horizontal displacing of the frame 2 to the vertical lowering of the coverl back to its rest position.

Refining elements in the above described mechanism means may be provided on rack 12 such as illustrated at points 19 and 19A to terminate the horizontal movement when the displacement of frame 2 has been sufiicient for the purposes desired.

Means such as rack guides 20' (Figs. 1, 4 and 7 may be provided to maintain positive contact. Means also may be provided such as guides 21 (Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 7) to prevent a swinging motion of the cover 1 due to its being hung on roller chains 6. Means also comprising an idler 23 (Fig. 1) may be provided, to support the overhung end of rack 12 when the pit is opened and an adjustable stop such as illustrated with particularity in Figs. 8 and 9 may be provided to facilitate the operation of the mechanism herein disclosed.

From the above description of the drawings illustrating the features of the present invention, it is believed that the operating characteristics of the mechanism disclosed herein will be clearly apparent to one skilled in the art, and that the application of the specific invention disclosed is subject to various modifications and departures to obtain the result of the present invention. All such modifications and departures from the specific embodiment disclosed herein are anticipated by me as may fall within the scope of the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. An operating mechanism to vertically lift and to horizontally displace furnace tops, lids, hatches, covers and the like, which comprises means to vertically lift said cover, means to horizontally displace the same, each of said means being actuated by a common source of power, and means to apply said power first to one and then to the other of said lifting and displacing means in reversible sequence, said horizontally displacing means comprising a carriage frame carried on a plurality of axles supported by idler wheels engaging a track, said cover being suspensionally supported on said axles, and automatically operating means to terminate the extent of said horizontal displacement.

2. An operating mechanism to vertically lift and to horizontally displace furnace tops, lids, hatches, covers and the like, which comprises means to vertically lift said cover, means to horizontally displace the same, each of said means being actuated by a common source of power, means to apply said power first to one and then to the other of said lifting and displacing means in reversible sequence, said horizontally displacing means comprising a carriage frame carried on a plurality of axles supported by idler wheels engaging a track, said cover being suspensionally supportedmn said axles, and adjustable automatic means to terminate the amount of said horizontal displacement.

3. An operating mechanism to vertically lift and to horizontally displace furnace tops, lids, hatches, covers and the like, which comprises means to vertically lift said cover,

means to horizontally displace the same, each a of said means being actuated by a common source of power, means to apply said power first to one and then to the other of said liftin g and displacing means in reversible sequence, said means to successively apply the power comprising means to apply the power directly to the vertical lifting means, means to restrain the carriage frame from horizontal displacement during the vertical lift, means to terminate the vertical lift when the desired lift to the cover has been obtained, and means coacting with the vertical lift terminating means to release the horizontal movement restraining means to thereby permit horizontal displacement of said carriage frame and sus pended pit coverin the direction desired.

4. An operating mechanism to vertically lift and to horizontally displace furnace tops, lids, hatches, coversand the like, which comprises means to vertically lift said cover, means to horizontally displace the same, each of said means being actuated by a common source of power, means to apply said power first to one and then to the other of said lifting and displacing means in reversible sequence, said means to successively apply the power comprising means to apply the power directly to the vertical lifting means, means to restrain the carriage frame from horizontal displacement during the vertical lift, means to terminate the vertical lift when the desired lift to the cover has been obtained,and means coacting with the vertical lift terminating means to release the horizontal movement restraining means to thereby permit horizontal displacement of said carriage frame and suspended pit cover in the direction desired and to lock the said pit cover in its lifted position.

5. In an operating mechanism for vertically lifting and horizontally displacing pit covers, comprising a source of power, lifting means and horizontal displacing means, means to apply the source of power successively to said lifting and said displacing means, comprising connecting the source of power to a fixedly positioned rack gear drive member, and interconnecting with said drive gear the vertical lift and the horizontal displacing means through a common rack gear member, said rack gear being keyed to a rotatable axle carried by idler wheels engaging a tracking and supporting a carriage frame, keyed eccentric means on said axle adapted to apply to a pit cover a vertical lift in response to a rotational movement in said axle, means to terminate the rotation of said axle when a predetermined lift has been obtained, and means to lock the axle against further rotational movement, thereby fixedly connecting the rack gear with respect to the axle to the rack gear drive and initiating horizontal displacement of the carriage frame and suspended pit cover along the tracking.

6. In an operating mechanism for vertically lifting and horizontally displacing pit covers, comprising a source of power, lifting means and horizontal displacing means,

. means to apply the source of power successively to. said lifting and said displacing means, comprising connecting the source of power to a fixedly positioned rack gear drive member, and interconnecting with said drive gear the vertical lift and the horizontal dis placing means through a common rack gear member, said rack gear being keyed to a rotatable axle carried by idler wheels engaging a tracking and supporting a carriage frame, keyed eccentric means on said axle adapted to apply to a pit cover a vertical lift in response to a rotational movement in said axle, means to terminate the rotation of said axle when a predetermined lift has been obtained, means to lock the axle against further rotational movement, thereby fixedly connecting the rack gear with respect to the axle to the rack gear drive and initiating horizontal displacement of the carriage frame and suspended pit cover along the tracking, and means to restrain the idler wheels from horizontal displacement during the rotation of said axle.

7 In an operating mechanism for vertically lifting and horizontally displacing pit covers, comprising a source of power, lifting means and horizontal displacing means, means to apply the source of power successively to said lifting and said displacing means, comprising connecting the source of power to a fixedly positioned rack gear drive member, and interconnecting with said drive gear the vertical lift and the horizontal displacing means through a common rack gear member, said rack gear being keyed to a rotatable axle carried by idler wheels engaging a tracking and supporting a carriage frame,

keyed eccentric means on said axle adapted to apply to apit cover a vertical lift in response to a rotational movement in said axle, means to terminate the rotation of said axle when a predetermined lift has been obtained, means to lock the axle against further rotational movement, thereby fixedly connecting the rack gear with respect to the axle to the rack gear drive and initiating horizontal displacement of the carriage frame and suspended pit cover along the tracking, and adjustable means to restrain the idler wheels from horizontal displacement during the rotation of said axle.

8. In an operating mechanism for vertically lifting and horizontally displacing pit covers, comprising a source of power, vertical lifting means and horizontal displacing means, means to apply the source of power successively to said lifting and said displacing means, said means comprising a fixedly positioned rack gear drive member, energized from said power source, and a connecting rack gear member rotatively connected thereto with respect to said vertical lifting means and fixedly connected thereto with respect to said horizontal displacing means, means to reverse the movement of said rack gear drive, and means to restrain the horizontal displacing means from movement during the actuating of the vertical lifting means in either direction.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed 

